Feed-bag.



w. STEFFENS.

FEED BAG. APPLICATION FILED OCT-2. 1914.

1,155,845. Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES E/VTOR \V MMAZK W a. QWM

, v ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANDURAPl-l co.,wAsHlNOTO D. c.

. STEFFENS.

FEED BAG,

APPLICATION FILED OCT-2.1914.

Patented Oct. 5, 1915. E 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 4/5 ATTORNEY WITNESSES G. RMM

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH COQWASHINGTONI D. c.

lUNlTED dTATFS PATENT @FFTCE.

WILLIAM H. STEFFENS, OF NEW 'YORIQN. Y.

FEED BAG.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented one. 5, 191.5.

Application filed October 2, 1914. Serial No. 864,694.

bag universally in use, and to accomplish this by a construction which is thoroughly simple and practical.

Various constructions have been proposed for overcoming the wastefulness of the regular feed bag, but these have not gone into use to any extent because'they were too com plicated, unsatisfactory in operation, or too unusual in appearance torecommend themselves to those who purchase such articles.

The parts of the invention will now be briefiv described and the combinations more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention: Figure l is a side view of the feed bag in use; Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation thereof, with the cover applied, the latter being partly broken away in order to reveal one of the fastenings of the inner part; Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device; Fig. 4: is 'an elevation of the inner part, with a portion ofthe spring attached; Fig. 5 is a bottom plan of the outer bag; Fig. 6 is a plan View of the cover spread out; Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section through the bottom of the outer bag; and Fig. 8 is. a fragmentary section taken at the top of the outer bag, showing the ring to hold the same open.

The invention comprises a flexible outer bag 2, of approximately the same form and general appearance as ordinary feed bags. It is provided, however, with a rigid open bottom, formed by a skeleton frame 3 having a vertical rim 4, which is riveted or otherwise secured within the lower end of the flexible side wall. Furthermore, the upper end of the flexible wall is turned over to form a pocket 5, in which is received a ring 6 which holds the upper end of the bag open in a substantially rigid manner. The form of the bottom 3 may be varied, but in the particular construction shown it preferably has a large central opening 7 and marginal openings 8 at opposite sides of an annular portion 9, which is formed with a depressed groove 10. At one or more points the metal of this groove is cut transversely of the groove andforced upward, as shown at 11, forming arches or eyes for the purpose which will presently be described.

l/Vithin'the outer bag isa substantially rigid receptacle 12, preferably of metal. The top of this receptacle is connected with the top of the outer bag by a flexible eX- tension 13, preferably of cloth, which is riveted or otherwise permanently fixed to' the receptacle and detachably connectedto the top of the outer bag. The particular form of attaching devices may be varied, but I prefer to employ tabs'l sewed to the top of the extension and bearing fsnap fas-j toner elements 15, which cooperate with complementary elements on the outer side of the bag near the top. By such means the flexible extension 13 is connected with the outer bag at a series of points around the top of the latter, which top is held against collapsing by means of the ring 6, and consequently the cloth 13 as thereceptacle' 12 is raised is caused to fold inward in a sub stantially uniform manner, as indicate'dlb'y dotted lines at a in Fig. 3, this being an advantage because the fold acts as a guard to prevent spilling.

It will be observed that the rigid sides of the inner receptacle extend upward a substantial distance, suflicient to insure that thefold formed in the cloth 13 will not interfere with the horses eating, and on thecontrary will occur at a point where itwill be.

of advantage, for the reasonset forth.

The-=ra-1s1ng of the receptacle is effected automatically by means of a coiled spring 16 interposed between the-receptacle and I the metal bottom of the outer bag. The lower coil of this spring is seated in the groove 10, heretofore described, and passed beneath the arched portions 11, which hold the lower end of the spring in place while permitting its removal when desired. The upper end of the spring is similarly threaded through eyes 17 riveted to the bottom of the inner receptacle. The spring raises the receptacle in proportion as the oats are consumed, and thus avoids the necessity of a horse tossing its head in order to get at the grain left in the bottom.

The sides and bottom of the receptacle 12 are provided with a multiplicity of perforations 18, for the dual purpose of afford ing ventilation and permitting dust and dirt to escape. In this connection the open construction of the bottom of the outer bag is important, because it affords large ventilating openings and also permits the dirt to fall through readily. In addition, and largely for the sake of preserving the familiar appearance of feed bags, the outer part may be provided with one or more circular or oval perforated areas 19.

Itwill be observed that with my construction a very much larger amount of opening for ventilation is possible than in ordinary feed bags, since the multiplicity of perforations 18 in the inner receptacle and the openings 7 and S in the bottom of the outer bag are both formed in portions of the device where they do not show and do not constitute a source of weakness. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the seating groove 10 for the spring serves materially to strengthen the skeleton bottom of the bag. The perforations 18 may be distributed uniformly throughout the walls of the inner rigid container, or a portion thereof may be left unperforated. Preferably the flexible part 13 is provided with one or more additional rows of perforations 20, which, together with the top of the rigid receptacle, may serve as graduation marks to represent certain predetermined quantities of oats.

The bag, with its rigid inner container and flexible extension, may be covered when not in use by the cover shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the latter comprising an approximately circular piece of fabric 21, notched at opposite points to accommodate the suspending rope 22 and provided near the margin with snap fastenerelements 23 for application to complementary elements on the bag.

It will be observed that the bag can be readily disassembled, so that any part, if broken or worn, can be replaced.

What I claim as new is:

1. A feed bag comprising, in combination, an outer flexible bag, an inner receptacle having approximately rigid bottom and sides, the latter extending upward a substantial distance, a flexible extension connecting the top of said receptacle with the top of the outer bag, and a spring interposed between the receptacle and the bottom of the bag.

2. A feed bag comprising, in combination, an outer flexible bag, a ring for holding the same open at the top, an inner receptacle having approximately rigid bottom and sides, the latter extending upward a substantial distance, a flexible section secured to said receptacle, means detachably connecting said flexible extension to the top of the outer bag at a series of points around the same, and a spring interposed between the receptacle and the bottom of the bag.

3. A feed bag comprising, in combination, an outer flexible bag, a rigid bottom for said bag comprising a plate formed with large openings and having a circular depressed groove arched at one or more points by portions of the metal cut and forced up ward, an inner substantially rigid receptacle, a flexible section connecting the top of said receptacle with the top of the bag, and a spring interposed between the receptacle and the bottom of the bag, the lower coil of the spring being seated in said groove and passed beneath the said arched portions.

at. A feed bag comprising, in combination, an outer flexible bag, an inner substantially rigid receptacle, a flexible extension connecting the top of said receptacle with the top of the outer bag, means for detachably fastening said flexible extension to the outer bag, a spring interposed between the receptacle and the bottom of the bag, and a flexible cover provided with means for buttoning the same over the top of the bag.

In witness whereof I have signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. STEFFENS.

Witnesses:

J. F. BRANDENBURG, ELsIE GREENBERGER.

Copies at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

